Gratitude – Thanksgiving 2007

For about a year now, I have been compelled to write about gratitude. There is so much to be thankful for! I see signs of God’s grace and abundance all around me and I really do want to just shout out all of the reasons that I have to be thankful for everyone to hear!

But every time I sit down to write, I am at a loss because the list gets so long so quickly. And this truth quiets me because the reality is that there is no trumpet loud enough, there are no words eloquent enough to truly describe the deep well of gratitude within my spirit. There is actually no response that I could ever give that would be appropriate.

And I realize that all I can say is thank you. It isn’t enough. It does not articulate my gratitude in the slightest. The words do not play the song that I feel deep inside as a response to so much richness. (I know that sounds a little bit sound of music-ish for me, but it’s true…) The words can’t show you how I walk the streets of El Salvador and now Guatemala, continually buzzing with thankfulness for you—each one of you. I could send thank you cards every week and that still wouldn’t do it.

And so I sit in silence and simply say a pray of thanks:
I am thankful for
each one of you that has enriched and blessed my life in so many ways.
I am
thankful for a family that always supports me in whatever crazy ideas I
pursue.
I am thankful for new friends that bring laughter and joy into my new
life.
I’m thankful for old friends that know me like a book and love me so
much anyway.
I am thankful for God’s work in El Salvador and for including me
in it.
I’m thankful for the people of El Salvador because they share beauty
with me in ways that lighten my path.
I’m thankful for friends and family
that so generously continue to partner in this work in words, prayers and
financially.
I’m thankful for River West—my heart’s home.
I’m thankful for
ENLACE—where my journey gets interesting!
I’m thankful for good music and
people that can play guitar in my life.
I am thankful for good Spanish
teachers!
I’m thankful for the internet, hand made chocolates and cute
shoes.
And I’m thankful for planes into El Salvador because they will bring
some of you to me in the months to come.

And this thanksgiving, I have to say that everything on this list is all a
direct result of God’s hand on my life. And as we turn the corner towards
Christmas, let me encourage you to take a moment to be thankful for the most
precious and powerful gift ever. For me, all blessings flow from that
night in December.

Psalm 34:1-4
I will bless the LORD at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul will make its boast in the
LORD; The humble will hear it and rejoice. Magnify the LORD with me, and let us
exalt His name together.

And in Spanish: Bendeciré a SEÑOR siempre; Su alabanza estará continuamente en mi boca. Mi alma hará su alarde en el SEÑOR; La voluntad humilde lo oye y rejoice. Magnifique a SEÑOR con mí, y exalt su nombre junto.

Love you all & miss you all terribly today.
PS: Shelle & Liser – Be sure to make some mashed potatoes in my honor! Aunt Sue- I am using my emergency $20 for Thanksgiving dinner tonight in Antigua! I might even have enough left over for a pedicure!